John Swinney rejects call for Holyrood inquiry into Peter Murrell
BBC • • general
Key Points:
- John Swinney has rejected calls for a Holyrood inquiry into former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell's embezzlement of over £400,000, citing a five-year police investigation that led to Murrell's guilty plea.
- Murrell admitted to stealing party funds over 12 years, spending on luxury items including cars, a motorhome, and jewellery, some gifted to Nicola Sturgeon, his estranged wife and former first minister.
- Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar urged a parliamentary probe to examine the SNP's culture of secrecy and cover-up, but Swinney accused Sarwar of victim blaming and emphasized focusing on public priorities.
- Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay accused Swinney and Sturgeon of enabling Murrell and called for transparency from the Crown Office regarding prosecution decisions, amid speculation of misuse of taxpayer funds.
- Nicola Sturgeon, who resigned in 2023, denied any knowledge of the misuse of party funds and stated she had no suspicion that personal items were purchased with SNP money.